One of the more predictable outcomes of The Last Dance — especially with a sports stoppage — was a return of the Jordan-LeBron debate. It’s an argument that can’t be won by either side, but nothing seems to fire up NBA fans more.
Now, when it comes to LeBron James and Michael Jordan, the two never played against each other in an NBA game. Jordan’s career ended the season before LeBron’s began, so we’re left with hypothetical, cross-generational arguments.
But the two basketball icons did share a court at one point.
Back in 2001, a 16-year-old LeBron took part in some pickup games against NBA players, and the then-38-year-old Jordan was among the participants. Being a high school player, LeBron had to wait his turn to take the court. But when it came time to play a game with Jordan, LeBron was admittedly awestruck. (Warning: NSFW language)
He said in an interview with UNINTERRUPTED:
“So for me to be on the court at 16 years old, sophomore in high school, with my favorite player of all-time. And it was like, ‘This can’t be real, man.’ If you pinch me, man. I was like, ‘Please, I hope I don’t wake up.'”
To this date, there isn’t any footage from the game — just one photo.
But could you imagine if NBA fans ever got a chance to see that video? We’d never hear the end of it.
